Endrick to Real Madrid: minimal minutes, bench and loan doubt
Endrick's dejected face has gone viral, summarising the difficult moment of the young Brazilian striker at Real Madrid, where he has found very little space, limited to just four minutes against Elche before the break and no appearance in the Champions League against Inter.
In Brazil the debate has heated up over the possibility of a new loan in January. Real Madrid does not seem inclined towards a permanent transfer, but could once again resort to the loan formula. Last year Endrick experienced a similar situation before the temporary move to Lyon, where he regained continuity, goals and confidence, maintaining his place in the national team.
Other transfer market dealings
The first approach for Gonçalo Inácio dates back to late June, immediately after the closure of the deal on Gonçalo Ramos. Milan worked for two months on the defender, then launched a decisive offer between August 30 and 31 for €40 million, initially accepted by Sporting Lisbon on the condition of finding an adequate replacement within 24 hours. The deal fell through, but according to Tuttosport Inácio remains a concrete target for the red-and-black defence.
Meanwhile Juventus has found a certainty in Francisco Conceição, who unlocked the clash against Atalanta with the decisive goal. Luciano Spalletti, with Kenan Yıldız in defence, confirmed the Portuguese, while the entourage led by Jorge Mendes aims to renew the contract until 2031, with a wage increase to over €4 million net per season. The defence remains vulnerable, therefore the club already has on its list David Raum of Leipzig and Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace, both whose contracts expire in June and who are represented by the ROOF agency.
Napoli, however, will say goodbye to Lorenzo Lucca in the winter. The centre‑forward, who arrived in the summer of 2025, is no longer favoured by the new coach Massimiliano Allegri after Antonio Conte's dismissal. The club has turned its attention to another striker, with Keinan Davies as the target, while Lucca could be sent out on loan, as happened in the second half of last season when he ended up at Nottingham Forest.
International reinforcements
After almost three months as a free agent, Mahmoud Dahoud has signed for United FC, a club from the United Arab Emirates. The former German midfielder, who has played for Borussia Dortmund and Brighton, will arrive under the guidance of Andrea Pirlo, who will have at his disposal a player with experience in the major European leagues.
Bayern Munich, finally, is once again looking at Dani Olmo to strengthen the attacking department, considering a possible transfer already in the January window. The Bavarian club is also interested in Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise, but Olmo is a profile already known in Germany, having spent four seasons wearing the RB Leipzig shirt before joining Barcelona.
Outlook for the future
Endrick's case highlights the difficulties that young talents face at big clubs, while the numerous negotiations show a market in flux, with Italian and international clubs ready to step in to provide continuity to players seeking minutes. It remains to be seen whether Real Madrid will opt for a new loan in January or if another team will give the Brazilian the consistency he found at Lyon.